17 inches of new snow at the Taos Ski Valley!

Greetings all-- especially Barney Sharp Talons: Lots of white stuff on the ground this morning. It looks like more to come over the next few days-- it's snowing right now! Check out our website to see the new workshops we're offering at the Cottonwood this year. You can also see all the new creatures-- 10 new ducks! 22 new chickens! Pictures coming soon...really.

Hey Barney, where are ya?

The madness of the Wool Fest is over, but the action just keeps on rollin' at the Cottonwood! Right now I'm watching a "murder" of crows torment my newest pullets. At this age (probably around 5 or 6 months, but I'm not sure as they were a rescue group from ABQ) they are unable to resist challenging everything and everyone in sight. As a result they run around a lot while the crows clean up on their food. Right now Gina and Rita (two buff cochins) and Myrna (a red cap) are almost insane. I thought I should let Barney Sharptalons know there were more babes here than Bernard could handle. Come on Barney, show yourself.... Keep posted for more photos- these actually good ones as they have been taken by an experienced amateur photographer Fred Z., one of our guests this week. He braved the camera pecking emus to get some good action shots. He also managed to sure the camera shy Elvis over for some candid shots.

Weaving workshop and more!!

The first Cottonwood Inn Weaving Weekend was a smashing success and several priceless masterpieces were created!! Well, err, maybe not PRICELESS on the open market but certainly priceless in terms of fun and experience. Julie Cloutman of Taos Fiber Arts is a tireless and enthusiastic teacher of weaving. Julie's 30 plus years of experience at places like Weaving Southwest-- where she wove prior to opening her Taos Fiber Arts workshop and gallery-- showed in both her ability to teach and her excitement for the art of weaving. She will be offering her two-day class every month at her studio/gallery. For more information either contact the Cottonwood Inn or visit her website at: Next on the Cottonwood's workshop and fun calendar is the Murder Mystery weekend, the last weekend in October (sorry, no spaces left for this month's dinner and murder) and Soapmaking with Shantal, which is the last weekend in November and will cover two days in which each participant will get to take away 10 lbs of soap-- 5 lye-based and 5 glycerine. Contact the Cottonwood for more details.

Just a quick post to let any readers know that the Cottonwood Inn is hosting an Introduction to Tapestry Weaving workshop the third weekend in September, and a murder mystery dinner the last weekend in October. Check out our website-- taos-cottonwoo.com, and see if you can fit either of these fun events into your schedule. Spaces are limited in both events-- 4 for the weaving (2 left!) and 10 for the murder mystery dinner (4 left!)

Granola Recipe

A lot of guests have been asking for our granola recipe, which is simply straight out of "The Innkeepers Collection Cookbook" by C. Vincent Shortt. Cafe Marquesa's Granola 3 cups steel-cut rolled oats (or any heavy rolled oats) 1 3/4 almonds 2 1/4 cups sunflower seeds 1 cup pumpkin seeds 1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 2 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon (or more!) In a large bowl combine the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds and set aside Combine the oil, honey, syrup, both extracts, cinnamon and a pinch of salt in a large saucepan over medium heat until the mixture becomes watery. About 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 325. Pour the warm oil mixture over the reserved oat mixture and stir until the oats are coated well. Spread the mixture in a large baking pan and bake on the center rack until it turns golden, checking every 10 minutes and stirring so it won't burn. Remove and toss until dry and crispy

Barney Sharp Talons

Barney, when are you coming back to the Cottonwood?? We've got a whole new raft of hens and they are dying to meet you. Bernard is overwhelmed with ladies and the time is right to make a move.... Come on Barney, bring it on.

Mr. Snuggles settles in at the Cottonwood Inn

Our new llama, courtesy of our friends over at Wild Earth Llama Adventures, has not only settled in, he seems to have fallen in love with one of the new emus. He also enjoys snuggling up and sleeping with Sparky during the afternoon siesta.

If you ever get the chance, definitely sign on for the "Take a Llama to Lunch" hike that Stuart over at Wild Earth offers. Stuart currently has his hands full with even more rescue llamas-- Mr. Snuggles was just one of over 2 dozen Stuart took in last year.

The weather has been warm and sunny, and all the creatures have been enjoying a respite from the frosty morning temps. Next week were supposed to get one more nice "arctic blast" before the end of the ski season here in Taos. If you haven't hit the slope yet this year, there is still time! Come and ski world-class hills, eat great food, watch beautiful sunsets and snuggle with a llama (or emu. Or chicken, or dog or or ....)